GEA Niro Soavi Homogenizers

For immediate release - January 9, 2002

NS5160H. Sanitary 5-piston production unit

NanoValve® - The High-Efficient Homogenizing Valve
- Demonstrates Successful Performance

Hudson, WI - We are proud to announce that the high-efficient NanoValve® has surpassed all expectations during the initial 3 years of operation. The valve was patented and introduced to the market place by Niro Soavi in 1998 and has now proven its value in numerous food and dairy installations.

Major energy savings and product improvements have been achieved in homogenization of whole milk and a variety of UHT milk applications. Lately the NanoValve® has accomplished significant results in a number of beverage applications demonstrating the same advantages.

The NanoValve® enables homogenization to take place at 20-30% lower pressure compared to a standard homogenizing valve, while obtaining the same homogenizing effect. This results in a direct energy saving of 20-30% on a production scale homogenizer.

The NanoValve® can be installed on all existing Niro Soavi machines as well as on other brands of homogenizers by mounting an adapter block.

The NanoValve® design features:

• Suitable for operating pressures up to 3,600 psi.
• The large valve diameter enables the valve to operate with a minute gap and thereby to obtain a high homogenization effect at a low pressure.
• The patented balanced valve system and the pneumatically driven actuator ensures a stable operating valve.
• Available in aseptic and 3A sanitary design.
• Two-stage valve available.
• Easy cleaning and maintenance with few parts involved.
• Low operating noise level.
• Tungsten carbide wear parts ensures long lifetime.
• Passage head and impact head can be re-machined for renewed operation and the impact head can be turned for wear on both sides.
• Fewer parts add up to easier cleaning and maintenance.

The popular Niro Soavi range of Pumps and Homogenizers are based on Niro's know-how and expertise in designing reliable high-pressure machines. Every machine is factory tested at full design parameters before they are released under the ISO9001 QA program.

For further information:

Niels E. Olsen (Division Manager - Niro Soavi)
Niro Inc.
1600 O'Keefe Road
Hudson, WI 54016
Phone: 715 386 9371
Fax: 715 386 9376
Web: http://www.niroinc.com
E-mail: gea.pe.na@geagroup.com